Peter Schorsch
Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
As another committee week of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) comes to a close, members are looking ahead at the heavy workload, with just under 100 substantive proposals to consider.
The commission’s Rules Committee has laid out a course to get to the May 10 finish line, when members must wrap up all work.
But that includes continued committee meetings on Jan. 11-12, Jan. 18-19, Jan. 25-26 and Feb. 1-2.
Capitol insiders know well that overlaps with the 2018 Legislative Session, which takes place earlier than usual this year—over January and February, rather than March and April.
That also creates a potential space conflict with the Florida Senate, which is hosting the commission. The full CRC has met in the Senate chambers, with committees taking up various rooms in the Senate Office Building.
CRC Executive Director Jeff Woodburn told commissioners he’s looking at alternate locations in Tallahassee during session, including Florida State University’s Turnbull Conference Center and the 1st District Court of Appeal courthouse on the southeast side of town.
Commissioners also plan to hit the road once again for a public comment tour across the state in the weeks of Feb. 5, Feb. 19, Feb. 26 and March 12.
Evening Reads
“Florida ranks near top of business tax climate ranking” via Andrew Burger of Florida Watchdog
“Ron DeSantis seeks to end secret sex suit settlements in Congress” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Phillip Levine not as generous as Democratic rivals on minimum wage” via Adam Smith of the Tampa Bay Times
“Busted toilets, peeling paint, sewage backups, lice: a peek inside juvenile lockups” via Carol Marbin Miller of the Miami Herald
“Citizens paid premiums to entice adjusters after Hurricane Irma” via Michael Moline of Florida Politics
“Prominent Republicans say Scott killed CFO proposal to help political ally” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Greyhound racing ban clears first CRC committee” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“Florida A&M University picks familiar face as president” via the Associated Press
“Officer who punched Miami fan on video cleared of wrongdoing” via The Miami Herald
Quote of the Day
“You haven’t heard from the industry today. And that too should be a lesson. They’re not here because they knew they could not win today. But they’re not gone. They operate in the shadows.” —Sen. Tom Lee, speaking Thursday at a Constitution Revision Commission meeting on his plan to ban greyhound racing.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Florida Board of Medicine will meet in Orange County and take up numerous disciplinary issues from across the state. That’s at 8 a.m., Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.
The Florida Historical Commission is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m., R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee.
The Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine is scheduled to meet in Nassau County at 9 a.m., Residence Inn Amelia Island, 2301 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach.
The state Board of Acupuncture is slated to meet in Duval County at 9 a.m., Embassy Suites Jacksonville, Baymeadows, 9300 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville.
The State Consumer Health Information and Policy Advisory Council, which discusses issues related to the public reporting of health-care data, will meet at 1 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.
